Patent · US Expired

Ink jet recording apparatus

US6883896B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
0References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 27, 2003
Grant dateApr 26, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 27, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2002/16594
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A maintenance unit of an ink jet recording apparatus includes a maintenance motor, a cap member that covers nozzles of a print head, a wiper that wipes ink off a nozzle opening area after a cleaning operation for the print head, a suction pump that suctions the ink, a switching valve that includes a plurality of suction ports connected to the cap member, the wiper, and an ink receiver and a discharge port connected to the suction pump, and a cam that controls a rotating angle of the switching valve. The maintenance motor, the suction pump, the switching valve, and the cam are connected by a plurality of gears. The ink discharged during wiping and flushing operations, as well as the cleaning operation, is selectively suctioned by the maintenance unit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.